Manhattan’s Chess Night Moves in East Village

East Village clicked last night with Manhattan’s Chess Night, checkmating NYC’s spring at a 2nd Avenue café. Player Tariq Evans took a queen as 100 watched, a $10 ticket clash of boards. It’s borough brains—pure EV vibe, pieces hot. A kid lost a pawn; a pro claimed king. ‘Manhattan thinks—this is it,’ Evans says, resetting squares. The tables turned tourney.

The night’s fresh—March 24’s start, it tripled since RSVPs, packing seats by 7 p.m. Evans, a LES master; last night’s crowd hit max—clocks ticked. A latecomer nabbed a spot; moves flew—NYC grit glowed. Prizes hit $200—strategy ruled. #EVChess trended; Brooklyn wants a knight.

Some griped—’Too quiet,’ sniped a loudmouth, dodging silence. Space squeezed—latecomers stood; focus held. A rival’s pitching a Chelsea match, splitting boards. Still, 150 stayed—checks reigned. East Village’s never moved so bold.

Evans hints at a monthly run, maybe a park if spring bites. ‘NYC’s game—this plays it,’ he says, packing pieces. The night’s a Manhattan win—grit meets mind. It’s a chess rush; catch the next. Bring a clock—moves call.